RR Auction in Boston is currently hosting its online “Space Auction,” running until October 24. This event features an array of five watches either worn in space or commemorating an astronaut’s journey beyond Earth.
The highlight of the auction is a Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” watch from the private collection of the late astronaut Edgar Mitchell. This iconic timepiece (Ref. 1675) is estimated to fetch $400,000 or more. Mitchell wore the watch during his Apollo 14 mission in 1971, where he became the sixth person to walk on the moon. Designed for optimal performance in aviation and space travel, the watch boasts a blue and red “Pepsi” bezel, a black dial, and a 26-jewel Oyster Perpetual movement. Its rotating bezel, a collaboration between Rolex and Pan American World Airways, allows the wearer to track both local time and GMT simultaneously.
The caseback is engraved with the poignant message: “Worn by Cdr. E. Mitchell on Apollo 14, 1971, To Karlin—My Daughter.”
While NASA typically provided Omega Speedmaster watches for Apollo missions, astronauts like Mitchell occasionally chose to wear their personal Rolexes. Other notable astronauts, such as Stuart Roosa and Ron Evans, also wore GMT-Master timepieces during their missions on Apollo 14 and Apollo 17, respectively.
Wearing privately owned watches during missions is rare; government-issued Omega Speedmasters are considered NASA property. As a result, watches like Mitchell’s Rolex are rarely available at auction. RR Auction emphasizes that this is only the second Apollo-flown Rolex watch ever offered for sale, with the first being Evans’ Apollo 17 GMT-Master “Pepsi,” which was sold in 2009.
You Might Be Interested In
- How to Sell Your Rolex Watch: A Comprehensive Guide
- Should I Wear My Rolex Every Day? A Comprehensive Guide
- Does Walmart Sell Rolex? An In-Depth Look
